To enlarge, hover over the imageClick the image to enlarge
/
Explanation
“I want that overwhelming impact and ultra-heavy drive sound of the cherry sunburst, three-pickup Les Paul Custom that shook the world at the 1977 Nippon Budokan concert.” But a mere replica just won’t cut it—aren’t you looking for the absolute pinnacle of authenticity, a guitar that combines the unparalleled craftsmanship of a Les Paul Custom with a sound proven in the heat of the stage?
As an icon of KISS’s original guitarist, Ace Frehley, this three-pickup, cherry sunburst Les Paul Custom shines brilliantly in the annals of rock history. Its divine appearance captivated rock-loving teenagers from the 1970s through the 1980s and continues to set guitarists’ hearts ablaze to this day.The 2003 model we’ve just received is the 1968 Les Paul Custom 3-Pickup—created not as an artist signature model, but as a limited-edition offering within the Custom Art / Historic Division, the brand’s pinnacle lineup. It’s a truly elusive, high-end product known only to connoisseurs, with extremely rare opportunities to find one on the market.
This is the ultimate guitar, born from the passionate dedication of Ace Frehley enthusiasts and the supreme craftsmanship the Custom Shop is renowned for. Featuring exquisite grain that shifts in appearance depending on the angle, this 2003 Gibson Custom Shop 1968 Les Paul Custom 3Pickups Heritage Cherry Sunburst embodies iconic details that will send fans into a frenzy, combined with the overwhelming tonal specifications unique to the Custom Shop.
While this model is available in both plain-top and flame-top versions, this particular instrument lavishly features luxurious flame maple that shimmers deeply depending on the viewing angle. Combined with the cherry sunburst finish, it exudes a breathtaking, commanding presence.
At the heart of its look are the open-white DiMarzio pickups—a hallmark of Ace—which perfectly reproduce the aggressive bite when distorted and the crisp, cutting edge characteristic of vintage hard rock.
While centered on the rich, warm tone of mahogany, the guitar achieves exceptional acoustic characteristics that ensure the core of the sound never gets muddled. Even with high-gain drive sustain, the contours remain sharply defined, and it responds beautifully to deep distortion.
The three-pickup configuration allows for a wide range of tone-shaping possibilities. It offers not only visual impact but also practical potential that makes it a valuable asset for both live sessions and recording.
This is a flame-top specimen of the 1968 Les Paul Custom 3Pickups, originally produced as part of a limited edition line in 2003. It is a once-in-a-lifetime masterpiece that may never be available again—not only for “Ace Frehley fans,” but also for discerning guitarists who are “looking for the ultimate Les Paul Custom that stands out from the crowd” or who “want to play to their heart’s content with the pinnacle of drive tones that feel amazing no matter how much you distort them.”
The ultimate Les Paul, woven from the frenzy of the 1977 Budokan concert and the Custom Shop’s pinnacle of quality. Experience the incredibly thick rock sound that pierces your chest the moment you plug it into an amp.
[SPEC] BODY: Flame Maple Top / Mahogany Back NECK: Mahogany FINGERBOARD: Ebony PICKUP: DiMarzio DP100 × 3 WEIGHT: 4.65 kg NUT WIDTH: 43.6 mm Includes original hard case and COA Medium Scale Neck *Tailpiece and jack plate have been replaced(Original parts included) *As this is a consignment item, it is not covered by our store’s warranty.
[Repair/Modification History / Replaced Parts / Cosmetic Condition, etc.] *As this is a used/vintage item, the information provided is based on what we were able to determine during our inspection. Please be aware of this in advance.
*Please feel free to contact us for more details about the item.
Contact: Matsui
Scheduled for shipment
Payment & Security
Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store your credit card details or access your credit card information.
To enlarge, hover over the imageClick the image to enlarge
Electric Guitars/Electric Basses/Effectors/Amplifiers (Tuning Warranty: Up to 5 years) If your instrument malfunctions or stops producing sound after purchase, we will repair it free of charge. The warranty period varies by product.
Acoustic Guitars (Peace of Mind Warranty: Up to 6 months) For 1 month or 6 months after purchase, we will repair any defects resulting from normal use free of charge.
Wind Instruments (Up to 1 Year) Upon arrival, we clean the interior of the instrument, replace consumables as needed, and perform any necessary repairs and maintenance. If the instrument malfunctions or stops producing sound due to normal use, we will repair it free of charge.
